The Inaugural National Champion Falls

Back in 2011, Arkansas' Sam Barnhart had a dream year. It started when he won the 2010/2011 World Series of Poker Circuit Harrah's Tunica $1,600 Main Event for $148,612, a victory that came off a decision to play a last-minute satellite. Not only was it a big payday, it also came with a seat into the inaugural National Championship, which was held at Caesars Palace prior to the WSOP.

Well, Barnhart managed to win that tournament for $300K and a gold bracelet. As if that wasn't good enough, Barnhart jumped in that year's Main Event and made a deep run, ultimately finishing in 17th place for $378,796. Needless to say, it was a life-changing experience for the man from Little Rock.

Since then, Barnhart has relocated to Las Vegas and has made poker his career. He managed to notch four cashes at the 2014 WSOP, and he was hoping to replicate the Main Event experience he had three years ago. Unfortunately, any hope of that happening just came to an end.

We missed Barnhart's elimination hand, but we do know that he fell to Darren Rabinowitz. Barnhart had backdoored a Broadway straight with , but it was no good as the same card gave Rabinowitz a flush.